Canon EOS 100D/Rebel SL1 Review: Digital Photography Review

Canon EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 specifications

Price
MSRP	$799.99/£799 with 18-55mm STM
Body type
Body type	Compact SLR
Body material	Aluminium alloy and polycarbonate resin with carbon and glass fiber
Sensor
Max resolution	5184 x 3456
Other resolutions	5184 x 2912, 4608 x 3456,3456 x 3456, 3456 x 2304, 3456 x 1944, 3072 x 2304, 2592 x 1728, 2592 x 1456, 2304 x 1728, 2304 x 2304, 1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1080, 1728 x 1728, 1696 x 1280, 1280 x 1280, 720 x 480, 720 x 400, 640 x 480, 480 x 480
Image ratio w:h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	18 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	19 megapixels
Sensor size	APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	Digic 5
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	RGB Color Filter Array
Image
ISO	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 (25600 with boost)
White balance presets	6
Custom white balance	Yes (1)
Image stabilization	No
Uncompressed format	RAW
File format	JPEG: Fine, Normal (Exif 2.3 compliant) Design rule for Camera File system (2.0), RAW: 14bit RAW Digital Print Order Format [DPOF] Version 1.1 compliant
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	by built-in flash
Manual focus	Yes
Lens mount	Canon EF/EF-S mount
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	3.00″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage	95%
Viewfinder magnification	0.87×
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Exposure modes	Program AE Shutter priority AE Aperture priority AE Manual (Stills and Movie) Scene Intelligent Auto (Stills and Movie) No Flash Creative Auto Portrait Landscape Close-up Sports SCN
Scene modes	Kids Food Candlelight Night Portrait Handheld Night Scene HDR Backlight Control
Built-in flash	Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range	9.40 m
External flash	Yes (via Hot-shoe)
Flash modes	Auto, On, Off, Red-eye
Flash X sync speed	1/200 sec
Drive modes	Single Continuous Self timer (2s, 10s+remote, 10s + continuous shots 2-10)
Continuous drive	Yes (4 fps)
Self-timer	Yes (2s, 10s+remote, 10s + continuous shots 2-10))
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot Partial
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)
Videography features
Format	H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone	Mono
Speaker	Mono
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (HDMI mini)
Wireless	Eye-Fi Connected
Remote control	Yes (RC-6)
Physical
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	380
Weight (inc. batteries)	407 g (0.90 lb / 14.36 oz)
Dimensions	117 x 91 x 69 mm (4.61 x 3.58 x 2.72″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
GPS	Optional
GPS notes	via GPE2

GearShop

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera, Body Only●	$599.00	Buy on GearShop
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS STM Lens●		Buy on GearShop

Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 3-inch Touchscreen and Full HD Movie Mode (Body Only)	$599.00
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens	Too low to display
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 3-inch Touchscreen and Full HD Movie Mode (Body Only)	$599.00
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens	Too low to display
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera & EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens with EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Case + Filter + Tripod Kit	$849.95
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens + Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens	$799.00
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens (Import) for Canon EOS 7D, 60D, 70D, Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 6pc Bundle Accessory Kit	$177.77
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera & EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens with EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Case + Flash + Tele/Wide Lenses Kit	$849.95
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens (Import) for Canon EOS 7D, 60D, EOS Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 10pc Bundle Deluxe Accessory Kit	$186.00
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS 1D, 1DS, 1DX, 5D Mark II/III, 6D, 7D, 40D, 60D, EOS Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, XS, XSi, XT, & XTi Digital SLR Cameras + 6pc Bundle Accessory Kit	$429.95
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR Camera & EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens with EF 75-300mm III Lens + 64GB Card + Battery + Backpack + 2 Lenses + Accessory Kit	$799.95

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Comments

Total comments: 18

This looks like a great camera but I have Canon EOS Rebel T31 and absolutely love it. Alright, call me old fashion or old school but all those attachments associated with digital cameras scare me to death so a neighbor recommended the Canon EOS Rebel T3i as a good choice for a beginner photographer like me. There are so many brands and types of digital cameras in the market today that it is stressful for me to even think about buying one.
I did buy the Canon EOS Rebel T3i http://www.squidoo.com/canon-eos-canon-eos-rebel-t3i-camera-review-best-price but not without a lot of stress.

0 upvotes

This camera really is tiny. Compared to Sony's a230, which was the smallest of its time, it is about the same size, but he SL1 can shoot 4fps compared to 2.5, and has a much bigger buffer, and has 18mp instead of 10.2, and has a touhscreen, etc.

I think this is a great camera for the size and pice.

0 upvotes

40mm 2.8 STM is a full frame lens and it become 64mm equivalent if we use it with EOS 100D. So you really cant use for street photography. It is really perplexing to me why Canon is not making any pancake lens for EFS, like M22mm F2 (equvalent to 35mm full frame) they made for EOS M. They can easily modify that lens to be used with 100D. The combined small form factor with any 24, 28 or 35mm equivalen pancake lens EFS will be a big selling boost for 100D and other Canon APC SLRs.

I think Canon should rethink in their lens line up strategy.

1 upvote

Despite what the review says the 40mm 2.8 STM (pancake) lens is an EF lens, not an EF-S lens. (at least when I last looked at mine)

Now as a result of Canon just announcing the 55-250 IS STM lens, Canon will have three EF-S STM lenses. But it did not when this review was written.

0 upvotes

The Multi Shot Noise Reduction is a real killer of a feature.

4 super fast frames merged into one image for a clean (noiseless) low light photo.

This feature is on the Fuji X series (the X10 has it) and now here on the 100D.

1 upvote

The size is quite similar to my sony alpha 55. I was quite deceived when they decided to grow up the 57 and further models. Really don't know why. It's a great positive point in my opinion for this camera...
http://camerasize.com/compare/#448,238

Comment edited 34 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I rented one of these in May to take on a short vacation rather than drag my much heavier camera along. I debated renting one of the mirrorless models, but this had just been announced and seemed like an interesting choice. I used it almost entirely with the 40mm pancake lens. It was terrific. Barely noticed it hanging around my neck. I owned an original Digital Rebel way back when - this kit is noticeably smaller and lighter. The touch screen really helps when you're used to a camera with lots of dedicated buttons.

There's more on my blog about it with a few shots. This was from the point of view of a photographer who shoots Manual or Av, so there's nothing about the picture modes. It's here: http://www.addrummimages.com/2013/05/19/new-orleans-and-the-canon-sl1/

For geeky info about size and weight, I did a follow-up post here: http://www.addrummimages.com/2013/05/25/canon-sl1-followup/

FWIW...
Tony

0 upvotes

Hi Yonsarh, I've been thinking the same! Back to film....But I don't think this will happen. The camera companies have spent so much in digital photgraphy. Even the "super-cameras" like Hasselblad did it. Although you still can buy Hasselblad cameras which use film....So, I don't know. I alwys loved to work in the dark room, developing my own films and print the pics myself. My tool; a Hasselblad EL/M, build in 1973, with a 100 mm Zeiss-lens. Big fun!!!!! We'll wait and see.. :-)

0 upvotes

No, in the future, the sensor price will so cheap that it will cost less than a dollar and camera image sensor will be used on everywhere. So we could expect end of digital photography and people will eventuallly come back to film again.

1 upvote

I wonder how it is that the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 has a DPreview Gold Award (an overall score of 78%), whereas the more sophisticated 60D has only managed a Silver Award in your Review (with an overall score of 79%)??!!

1 upvote

If you haven't noticed 100D is entry level while 60D is mid level. DPreview warns that different categories scores are not directly comperable.

3 upvotes

I have noticed this too with other cameras and it doesn't make sense to me. Why don't you standardize your rating system.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

What is the meaning of the percentile and gold award anyway? I am trying to find the legend on the percentile and award but the explanations is nowhere.

Comment edited 47 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Its funny how this is considered a radical, minaturised design, yet its the same size as the 450D/500D was 4-5 years ago. The internal functions, pentaprism, sensor size have been similar all along.

The biggest change has been the flip screen. Who uses that regularly?

3 upvotes

I just upgraded from an EOS 400D to the 100D. The 100D *is* definitely a smaller camera.

Comment edited 15 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I'm trawling through to find out what AF points this has, apart from the hybrid sensor...

Any takers?

0 upvotes

Same as Rebel T5i, T4i, T3i - 9-points.
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_rebel_sl1_18_55mm_is_stm_kit#Specifications

0 upvotes

>>>>>>Autofocusing with a USM or other lens in either mode is still difficult, however, and fraught with cumbersome seeking during video and long autofocus lag for stills <<<< Does that mean a Sigma 18-->200 zoom, for example??

0 upvotes

Total comments: 18

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